Electric conductor support and protector



E. M. BOYNTON. ELEGTRIO CONDUCTOR SUPPORT AND PBOTEGTOR.

(No Model.)

No. 427,221. Patented May 6, 189C.

' TTOHNE Y I W/TNESSES:

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NITED STATES I Fries.

ELECTRIC CONDUCTOR SUPPORT ANQPROTECTOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part ofLetters Patent No. 427,221, dated May 6, 1890.

Application filed February 26, 1890.

, To all whom it may concern:

. ing a longitudinal groove orslot cut through its inferior face, into which slot the conductor is forced, and in which it is retained by constant lateral pressure produced by the elasticity of the wood, the insulating material, or

' both.

Reference 18 to be had to t-he accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, in which similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures.

Figure 1 represents a transverse section of one form of my improved support and protector with an electric conductor in' place. Figs. 2, 3,4, 5, 6, 7, and 9 represent, respectively, other forms thereof. Fig.8 represents an inverted plan of the same.

In the drawings, A represents the electricconductor support and protector, which is designed to extend continuously overhead the length of the railway when applied to such purpose, and is preferably constructed of squared joists or timbers, and is designed to be supported on posts, (not shown,) though in some instances properly-grooved metalrails may be substituted for the wooden ones.

In the inferior face of the support and protectorA a vertical groove or slot a, preferably extending to about the center of the support, is made for receiving the electric wire or rod connection B, that may be of any desired figure in cross-section.

Serial No, 341,816. (No model.)

of the groove a to less than the diameter of the conductor, that in thisinstance isa naked wire. Then theconductor B is forced by a traveling disk or wheel or other suitable tool bolts the parts ofthe rail are brought to-.

gether to laterally compress the conductor and hold it in place. In these instances, as in Figs. 3, l, 5, and 6, the electric conductor may be a wire covered-rwit-h an elastic/or com-' pressible insulating substance-such as rubber, fibrous material, or lead-and when the conductor is in place in the groove an abrading disk or wheel or a planer, is designed to be applied to remove the insulation from the wire along its inferior face to expose it for the contact of the transmitter. I

In Figs. 3, 4, 5,and 7 the same construction of support is shown as in Fig. 1, but with other equivalent forms of grooves or slots.

In'Fig. 6 the groove a is rectangular, anda longitudinal side groove d, connecting therewith, is made, in which is entered lengthwise a composite strip D, of wood and rubber or other elastic substances, that projects into the groove a, and thereby contracts it; hence when the conductor Bis entered into the said groove at and up into the contracted portions thereof it is heldin place by the lateral compression of the saidstrips 'D, as indicated.

With a current of low tension anaked wire conductor maybe used, and. in Fig. 7 one is shown held in the slot or groove of the support and protector by the elasticity of the latter.

I do not confine myself to any particular cross-section shape of support or of groove therein, as the lines of both are capable of many variations within the scope of my invention, which, essentially, is to provide a de vice that shall hold and support an overhead (Not shown.)

electric conductor bylateral compression, and at the same time protect it absolutely from the interference of rain, snow, and ice.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire-to secure by Letters Patent- 1. The co1nbination,with an overhead electric conductor, of a support and protector, consisting of a rail having a'longitudinal groove cut through its inferior face, in which groove the said conductor is held by lateral pressure, substantially as herein shown and described.

2. The combination, with an electric conductor, of a rail having a longitudinal groove lined with'an elastic or compressible insulating substance, whereby the conductor is held in the groove by the lateral compression of said insulator, substantially as herein shown and described.

rail having a longitudinal groove wherein the conductor is held by the lateral pressure upon it of the walls of the said groove, substantially as herein shown and described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand, in the presence of two witnesses, this 21st day of February, 1890.

EBEN MOODY BOYNTON.

Witnesses:

JAcoB J. S'roRER, CHAS. H. Lorr. 

